IPL 2018: 5 key Indian players for Kings XI Punjab

#2 Axar Patel

Axar Patel was retained by the KXIP

Axar Patel was the only player who was retained by the Kings XI Punjab for IPL 2018. The team management rates the all-rounder highly as he is a utility player in T20 cricket. He is very efficient with the ball and usually bowls a very tight line.

Patel bowls in the powerplay and at the death very often and captains use him to stem the flow of runs. He can also play some cameos lower down the order and is a clean striker of the cricket ball.

Patel would be looking to repay the faith shown to him by the KXIP management.

He is central to KXIP's plans in IPL 2018. He provides incredible balance to the team's composition and has the capability to win games with both the bat and the ball.

This year can also prove to be make or break for his international career as he has been in and out of the Indian team and has failed to seal a permanent spot for himself.

He has 58 wickets to his name in the 59 matches that he has played in the IPL at a staggering economy rate of 7.41 runs per over. He has also scored 606 runs at an impressive strike rate of 128.11.